Habitat-Based Breeding Strategies of Female Hoplobatrachus occipitalis (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Daloa Department, Midwest of Côte d'Ivoire

Habitat impact on reproductive biology of female Hoplobatrachus occipitalis had been studied in wetlands of Daloa Department.Two sites were sampled; one located in urban areas (Fatiga) and the other in rural areas (Zaliohouan).Four night and day sampling surveys were conducted from June to July 2017.Specimens of Hoplobatrachus occipitalis were captured and females dissected to determine gonado-somatic index (GSI), fecundity and egg diameter.Sex ratios were largely in favor of females in both populations (f:m=1:0.40at Fatiga and f:m=1:0.68 at Zaliohouan).Mean female size did not vary significantly between sampled sites (SVL=92.93±8.46mm and SVL=97.67±8.53mm respectively at Fatiga and Zaliohouan).Reproductive parameters varied little between populations.However, the highest values were obtained at the rural site.Averages of GSI were 8.81 and 10.94% in Fatiga and Zaliohouan females, respectively.Concerning absolute fecundity, average of 1872.47±499.87eggs was obtained in females at Fatiga against 2467.13±1314.65eggs at Zaliohouan.Mean oocyte diameter was 1.12±0.29 mm at Fatiga against 1.20±0.22mm at Zaliohouan.There was positive correlation between female size and fecundity.But negative correlation was observed between female size and oocyte diameter.Low spatial variability in parameters indicated adaptation capacity in reproduction of Hoplobatrachus occipitalis.